Chantel,
Take a defensive driving course, you'll learn how to deal with those problems. If you can't see around them back off or change lanes if that is an option.
Worst Drivers In Canada?
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sprucemonkey
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Hotel Tango
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I lived in Toronto, I lived in Winnipeg... I'd rather drive in Toronto
At least in toronto, the guy cutting you off has the blinker going so you have some idea he's coming. There are just a whole lot of bonehead in the peg, throw in the fact thant roads are laid out in the most rediculous way and the poor quality paint for the lines on the road that disapear in the winter and don't reapear again until summer, it's a recipe for disaster! They even have commercials here called the 60 second driver or something, it's sponsored by Manitoba Public Insurance and they use it to point out stuff that should be common sense to anyone! Taking your eyes of the road to read or watch movies is dangerous... duh?
I dunno, maybe it's the country folk comming into the city that can't adapt to different driving environments. Also, for a city that prides themselves on being able to handle cold harsh winters, you'd think they'd know how to drive in the snow.
And lastly... To the rest of you Winnipegers out there, WHY don't the buses here signal? If you're gonna stop to pick up passengers, RIGHT BLINKER ON, if you're gonna sit there, 4 WAYS ON, when you're ready to come back into traffic, LEFT BLINKER ON. Just because you're bigger doesn't mean you can just push your way in and stop wherever you want.
End Rant
P.S. Does anyone else agree that as a stereotype/generalization asphalt SUV drivers and BMW drivers are the most inconsiderate road users?
At least in toronto, the guy cutting you off has the blinker going so you have some idea he's coming. There are just a whole lot of bonehead in the peg, throw in the fact thant roads are laid out in the most rediculous way and the poor quality paint for the lines on the road that disapear in the winter and don't reapear again until summer, it's a recipe for disaster! They even have commercials here called the 60 second driver or something, it's sponsored by Manitoba Public Insurance and they use it to point out stuff that should be common sense to anyone! Taking your eyes of the road to read or watch movies is dangerous... duh?
I dunno, maybe it's the country folk comming into the city that can't adapt to different driving environments. Also, for a city that prides themselves on being able to handle cold harsh winters, you'd think they'd know how to drive in the snow.
And lastly... To the rest of you Winnipegers out there, WHY don't the buses here signal? If you're gonna stop to pick up passengers, RIGHT BLINKER ON, if you're gonna sit there, 4 WAYS ON, when you're ready to come back into traffic, LEFT BLINKER ON. Just because you're bigger doesn't mean you can just push your way in and stop wherever you want.
End Rant
P.S. Does anyone else agree that as a stereotype/generalization asphalt SUV drivers and BMW drivers are the most inconsiderate road users?
In Montreal:
I was stopped at a red light. Another car beside me also stopped at a red light. A car came up behind us - drove straight between us - and straight through the red light at about 80 kph. Never seen anything like it.
The worst that I've had regular contact with, though - I have to say Calgary. Trying to merge onto Deerfoot when the person in front of you comes to a stop at the end of the ramp - infuriating. Driving at whatever speed they feel like, in whatever lane they feel like. A few years ago there was a big movement to try and get the left lane changed to the "slow" lane with the right lane(s) used for passing. Just what we need - someone merging onto the Deerfoot, travelling 60 kph, and moving across three lanes - and then doing it again when they want to exit. They also seem to be the worst at parking that I've ever seen - how the hell can you take up so much room parking your Neon is beyond me.
I was stopped at a red light. Another car beside me also stopped at a red light. A car came up behind us - drove straight between us - and straight through the red light at about 80 kph. Never seen anything like it.
The worst that I've had regular contact with, though - I have to say Calgary. Trying to merge onto Deerfoot when the person in front of you comes to a stop at the end of the ramp - infuriating. Driving at whatever speed they feel like, in whatever lane they feel like. A few years ago there was a big movement to try and get the left lane changed to the "slow" lane with the right lane(s) used for passing. Just what we need - someone merging onto the Deerfoot, travelling 60 kph, and moving across three lanes - and then doing it again when they want to exit. They also seem to be the worst at parking that I've ever seen - how the hell can you take up so much room parking your Neon is beyond me.
Chantal...Bandaid is right. If the vehicle in front of you is blocking your view of the road, then you're following too close. I personally LOATHE people that tailgate me. I've used a set of 6 rear-mounted halogen floodlights on more than one occasion to convince someone that tailgating me at night is a bad idea. Either back off or pass me...just make a bloody decision. It takes a lot of provocation before I switch those puppies on, but BOY do they get people's attention when I do.
Passing lanes. YES! AMEN! Get out, get past, get in. Don't dawdle.
Ottawa? Absolutely. Nobody there can tell the difference between a yield sign and a stop sign. It's a universal problem, but it's at it's worst in Ottawa.
Canada's worst drivers? In my opinion, they're not found in a certain geographic location, but in certain types of cars. Specifically...
-Minivans (although some of these folks are switching to pavement-bound SUVs now). The drivers often seem to be pre-occupied with wiping noses and paddling bottoms of the ill-dsciplined yard apes in the back seat, and also seem unaware of the massive blind spots that these vehicles seem to have.
-Cavalier/Sunfire/Neon drivers. Nobody in their right mind would buy one of these "Engineered for failure 10000km after the warranty runs out" vehicles...so the drivers all tend to have poor judgement (or not know a freaking thing about vehicles and/or driving)
Graduated licensing may be a cash grab in many ways, but the idea of letting a sixteen year old out on the roads with an unrestricted license because they passed a 30 minute driving test that occured in a town with no stoplights and a single four way stop is insanity. Maybe I'm being hypocritical (because that's the way I got my license), but my parents enforced their own version of graduated licensing. Just because I had a license didn't mean that I could hop into the car and go wherever I wanted. Strict limitations were put upon me regarding where I went, the weather I drove in, and the sort of activities that I participated in while "out". I also benefited from my experiences with tractors/quads/dirt bikes in the "back 40" before I ever got behind the wheel of a car.
Getting your license should be a challenge. You should have to prove that you are indeed capable of operating a vehicle safely in challenging conditions - including snow and ice. Recurrency testing should also be mandatory. Skills are perishable, especially when they're not used on a regular basis. I know for a fact that I'd do very well on mandatory recurrency testing, because being tested on driving skills is mandatory at my place of employment. If you can't pass the test, you're not allowed to drive a company vehicle. Almost 50% of the people attempting the test fail it...a pretty sad commentary on the state of driving skills in our country.
Passing lanes. YES! AMEN! Get out, get past, get in. Don't dawdle.
Ottawa? Absolutely. Nobody there can tell the difference between a yield sign and a stop sign. It's a universal problem, but it's at it's worst in Ottawa.
Canada's worst drivers? In my opinion, they're not found in a certain geographic location, but in certain types of cars. Specifically...
-Minivans (although some of these folks are switching to pavement-bound SUVs now). The drivers often seem to be pre-occupied with wiping noses and paddling bottoms of the ill-dsciplined yard apes in the back seat, and also seem unaware of the massive blind spots that these vehicles seem to have.
-Cavalier/Sunfire/Neon drivers. Nobody in their right mind would buy one of these "Engineered for failure 10000km after the warranty runs out" vehicles...so the drivers all tend to have poor judgement (or not know a freaking thing about vehicles and/or driving)
Graduated licensing may be a cash grab in many ways, but the idea of letting a sixteen year old out on the roads with an unrestricted license because they passed a 30 minute driving test that occured in a town with no stoplights and a single four way stop is insanity. Maybe I'm being hypocritical (because that's the way I got my license), but my parents enforced their own version of graduated licensing. Just because I had a license didn't mean that I could hop into the car and go wherever I wanted. Strict limitations were put upon me regarding where I went, the weather I drove in, and the sort of activities that I participated in while "out". I also benefited from my experiences with tractors/quads/dirt bikes in the "back 40" before I ever got behind the wheel of a car.
Getting your license should be a challenge. You should have to prove that you are indeed capable of operating a vehicle safely in challenging conditions - including snow and ice. Recurrency testing should also be mandatory. Skills are perishable, especially when they're not used on a regular basis. I know for a fact that I'd do very well on mandatory recurrency testing, because being tested on driving skills is mandatory at my place of employment. If you can't pass the test, you're not allowed to drive a company vehicle. Almost 50% of the people attempting the test fail it...a pretty sad commentary on the state of driving skills in our country.
Please don't tell my mother that I work in the Oilpatch...she still thinks that I'm the piano player at a whorehouse.
Funny how the two kids who took mommy and daddies Benz out for a spin a month ago didn't have parents like that... Today, parents don't give a crap about their kids(if their parents were even in the country at that time)....w squared wrote: but my parents enforced their own version of graduated licensing. Just because I had a license didn't mean that I could hop into the car and go wherever I wanted. Strict limitations were put upon me regarding where I went, the weather I drove in, and the sort of activities that I participated in while "out"..
Poor parenting, poor drivers education certification process(the system sucks), most people go to morningside instead of Victoria Park and Oshawa DMV's... I mean when the driving instructors will drive you 1 hr to another testing facility because they know you'll "pass" there, the system is flawed...
Secondly, when you have a "street racing" police division in Peel you know you have issues too...
Like someone mentioned, you have slow people on the highway, fine, whatever, you can't do anything about that, but some people and their mentality and their ignorance of their surrondings only caring about themselves, shit... We should have people drive on the autobahn for the day, if they survive they get their license.
A refreshing post cyyz!
I agree with your comments with the exception of the autobahn ( if you are implying the autobahn is a wreckless place?).
I drive it frequently and the drivers are far more courteous and respectful than in TO. They seem to apply logic and leave the Type A personalities at home. They will however correct you if you do not reciprocate!!
I agree with your comments with the exception of the autobahn ( if you are implying the autobahn is a wreckless place?).
I drive it frequently and the drivers are far more courteous and respectful than in TO. They seem to apply logic and leave the Type A personalities at home. They will however correct you if you do not reciprocate!!
Exactly, everyone is flowing smothly, changes lanes goes back in, well refined machine....gr8gazu wrote:I drive it frequently and the drivers are far more courteous and respectful than in TO. They seem to apply logic and leave the Type A personalities at home. They will however correct you if you do not reciprocate!!
Thats the education(driving experience) some of our lovely drivers need to learn and incorporate in their driving habits over here...
Or maybe a simple personality drivers course, whatever would be cheaper on the citizens...
A good friend and partner of mine used to always say "the smaller the car the lesser the ability of the driver" Seems to hold true most times.
Graduated license is not a terrible idea but still leaves not much in the way of correction. If you think that the young driver is going to get any better by taking them off the road for months, you're wrong. I'm a big fan of defensive driving courses. If you have a child that is about to get his/her license and you don't enroll them in one, you're nuts. And don't buy him or her a Mustang 5.0 for his/her 16th birthday.
You can put 50 airbags into a car for safety but if you don't change the attitude of the people driving those cars they are going to be killed or kill someone else. The person behind the wheel is the biggest and best safety feature in any vehical.
Simple tips for better driving. Clear the intersection before you enter (both ways), check your rearview mirror every 7-10 seconds, mirror, signal, shoulder check before changing lanes, leave a cushion (2 seconds is recommended regardless of speed), always leave yourself an out. You can learn a lot more and get a reduction in insurance rates in some provinces by taking a defensive driving course.
Graduated license is not a terrible idea but still leaves not much in the way of correction. If you think that the young driver is going to get any better by taking them off the road for months, you're wrong. I'm a big fan of defensive driving courses. If you have a child that is about to get his/her license and you don't enroll them in one, you're nuts. And don't buy him or her a Mustang 5.0 for his/her 16th birthday.
You can put 50 airbags into a car for safety but if you don't change the attitude of the people driving those cars they are going to be killed or kill someone else. The person behind the wheel is the biggest and best safety feature in any vehical.
Simple tips for better driving. Clear the intersection before you enter (both ways), check your rearview mirror every 7-10 seconds, mirror, signal, shoulder check before changing lanes, leave a cushion (2 seconds is recommended regardless of speed), always leave yourself an out. You can learn a lot more and get a reduction in insurance rates in some provinces by taking a defensive driving course.
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Isn't it funny that everyone thinks they're a good driver, and everyone else is shit? 
I consider myself a lucky driver. 13 years on a motorcycle and NO accidents. I'm quitting while I'm ahead this year. No more bikes.
I just assume that I'm invisible, and if someone DOES see me, they want to kill me. I don't want to pay money to fix up my Paseo more than I do already.
Worst drivers? - immigrants who have never driven in snow before.
-istp
I consider myself a lucky driver. 13 years on a motorcycle and NO accidents. I'm quitting while I'm ahead this year. No more bikes.
I just assume that I'm invisible, and if someone DOES see me, they want to kill me. I don't want to pay money to fix up my Paseo more than I do already.
Worst drivers? - immigrants who have never driven in snow before.
-istp
I change my mind. I'd say it has nothing to do with location in Canada - and everything to do with the type of vehicle. My vote is for Minivan drivers!!!!! The either drive like little old people, or think they're in a race. I find most are at one end of the spectrum or the other, not too many in between.
After a day of cursing Whitehorse drivers, it takes a post like this to remind me that it COULD be worse...
Seems that people don't understand road markings here.. or dual turns... or traffic circles.. or center turn lanes... or.. or.. shall I go on? God forbid using signal lights or mirrors. I damn near got smoked today when someone ( taxi.. WITH a fare) turned left on a SOLID green in the dual turn lane.. and yes I had a green light too. The solid green means YIELD to oncoming traffic before you turn, no??
You'd think a 3/4 ton diesel would be easy to see. Loser.
Seems that people don't understand road markings here.. or dual turns... or traffic circles.. or center turn lanes... or.. or.. shall I go on? God forbid using signal lights or mirrors. I damn near got smoked today when someone ( taxi.. WITH a fare) turned left on a SOLID green in the dual turn lane.. and yes I had a green light too. The solid green means YIELD to oncoming traffic before you turn, no??
You'd think a 3/4 ton diesel would be easy to see. Loser.
Courage is the price that life exacts for granting peace. The soul that knows it not,knows no release from the little things; knows not the livid loneliness of fear, nor mountain heights where bitter joy can hear the sound of wings.
- Amelia Earhart
- Amelia Earhart
You're kidding, right? That would imply that the soccer mom in the big-ass Yukon isn't going to drift over into your lane as you're passing them. Or the old lady in the Lincoln Towncar isn't going to be driving 40 in the 60 zone. I don't know how well that works, man!bandaid wrote:A good friend and partner of mine used to always say "the smaller the car the lesser the ability of the driver" Seems to hold true most times.
I did say most times.
I am a paramedic in a fairly busy city and have been a paramedic for almost 26 years full time, what are your qualification?
In my experience there are 2 demographics that I see on a regular basis involved in collisions, 19-30 year old males in pickups and 16-25 years old women in small cars. I'm not saying that I don't see Minivans and SUV's, I do, probably more minivans than SUV's, usually with children on board and usually in bad weather or in an intersection. Do I see old people in their Lincolns, you bet, town's full of them, it is the retirement capital of western Canada, just not as often.
I've attended literally hundreds of MVA's over the years, when I was in Goldens B.C. they were usually involving agressive driving, highway speeds and terrible, tragic wrecks. Now in Kelowna I would hazard a guess that somewheres in the neighbourhood of 80-90% of the accidents are in intersections. People running lights or just not paying attention. It also appears that the posted speed is just a suggestion, do that speed and people honk and finger you on a regular basis. I love doing the speed limit in the ambulance
brings out my dark side.
I am a paramedic in a fairly busy city and have been a paramedic for almost 26 years full time, what are your qualification?
In my experience there are 2 demographics that I see on a regular basis involved in collisions, 19-30 year old males in pickups and 16-25 years old women in small cars. I'm not saying that I don't see Minivans and SUV's, I do, probably more minivans than SUV's, usually with children on board and usually in bad weather or in an intersection. Do I see old people in their Lincolns, you bet, town's full of them, it is the retirement capital of western Canada, just not as often.
I've attended literally hundreds of MVA's over the years, when I was in Goldens B.C. they were usually involving agressive driving, highway speeds and terrible, tragic wrecks. Now in Kelowna I would hazard a guess that somewheres in the neighbourhood of 80-90% of the accidents are in intersections. People running lights or just not paying attention. It also appears that the posted speed is just a suggestion, do that speed and people honk and finger you on a regular basis. I love doing the speed limit in the ambulance
brings out my dark side.-
Hotel Tango
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I think that has more to do with the age group of the people driving those cars. The small cars are the affordable cars, thus mostly driven by those 16-26 year old "new" drivers. The ones that are required to pay an arm and a leg for insurance. When it comes to the older experienced drivers, that should know better, I still stick with my previous statement. SUV and BMW drivers are the worse.bandaid wrote:A good friend and partner of mine used to always say "the smaller the car the lesser the ability of the driver" Seems to hold true most times.
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Redneck_pilot86
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Good way to see things when driving a bike, my dad rode for years, and when he was teaching me to drive he said to watch for the bikes, you will see everything else. Some bikers are the best drivers out there, and some are the worst.istp wrote:Isn't it funny that everyone thinks they're a good driver, and everyone else is shit?
I consider myself a lucky driver. 13 years on a motorcycle and NO accidents. I'm quitting while I'm ahead this year. No more bikes.
I just assume that I'm invisible, and if someone DOES see me, they want to kill me. I don't want to pay money to fix up my Paseo more than I do already.
Worst drivers? - immigrants who have never driven in snow before.
-istp
Agreed with the immigrant (and some Canadian drivers) in snow...they should have to get a rating for it. lol.
ST
The only three things a wingman should ever say: 1. "Two's up" 2. "You're on fire" 3. "I'll take the fat one"
Hotel Tango -------I reside outside Winnipeg and have driven in every city in Canada and what you said about Winnipeg is EXACTLY correct.
Somewhere along the way EVERYBODY, EVERWHERE has forgotten that when you pass that Driver's test with it's 60% or 70% Pass Mark, all you have done is "met the MINIMUM standards" for passing that test. You may also go for that test as many as 7 times if you wish until you do pass it. Therefore, there are people of both sexes and all ages driving on the highways and streets of Canada that are not all of the same ability and many have tried 6-7 times before they got that license.
I'm what many would call "one of those old people" and I grew-up around many who got their license at the same tome as me. It's been my experience that the majority who were poor drivers when they were 16 are still poor drivers at 66.....and many were scary then and are still scary now to watch manoevre a vehicle. Some how they haven't had an accident for 35 years.......BUT they've caused lots. Bear in mind also that you are sharing the highways and streets with people who haven't had any form of Driver's Test since 1929 or 1949. You are also sharing those highways with a WHOLE bunch of folks that got their Driver's Tests in small towns across Canada and at that time those toens didn't even have a sop sign anywhere.......and in many cases, just recently got their first Stop light. That doesn't only apply to "old folks" either because there's many a younfg driver today that got theirs under the exact same conitions and in some of those exact same towns. They can all do that and the next day appear in heavy 4:30PM traffic on the 401 in Toronto on a Friday afternoon.......and hey are legally allowed to do so.
Somewhere along the way EVERYBODY, EVERWHERE has forgotten that when you pass that Driver's test with it's 60% or 70% Pass Mark, all you have done is "met the MINIMUM standards" for passing that test. You may also go for that test as many as 7 times if you wish until you do pass it. Therefore, there are people of both sexes and all ages driving on the highways and streets of Canada that are not all of the same ability and many have tried 6-7 times before they got that license.
I'm what many would call "one of those old people" and I grew-up around many who got their license at the same tome as me. It's been my experience that the majority who were poor drivers when they were 16 are still poor drivers at 66.....and many were scary then and are still scary now to watch manoevre a vehicle. Some how they haven't had an accident for 35 years.......BUT they've caused lots. Bear in mind also that you are sharing the highways and streets with people who haven't had any form of Driver's Test since 1929 or 1949. You are also sharing those highways with a WHOLE bunch of folks that got their Driver's Tests in small towns across Canada and at that time those toens didn't even have a sop sign anywhere.......and in many cases, just recently got their first Stop light. That doesn't only apply to "old folks" either because there's many a younfg driver today that got theirs under the exact same conitions and in some of those exact same towns. They can all do that and the next day appear in heavy 4:30PM traffic on the 401 in Toronto on a Friday afternoon.......and hey are legally allowed to do so.
